Running is one of the best solutions to clear the head. -Sasha Azevedo
How many times have you felt the need to get away, to disappear, to just up and run away from the stresses of life: pain, sorrow, disappointment, and the clichéd heartache. The ever looming shadow of death, illness or disease of a loved one can be a frightful threat become reality. For everyone, at some point, life can become overwhelming. Even for the most positive of us challenges arise. How do we cope; refresh our minds, renew our Spirits and become inspired again to face said life, only with a new perspective, from a different place, better able to treat with the issues of the day, stronger and more enthused. If I may venture a suggestion, a remedy, a practice, a solution, an oasis to your desert experience – it is running.
Often in the last few years, in the face of life difficult moments, I’ve found that my answer has been to throw on some running shoes and hit the road. People would often joking ask – what are you running away from – and unknowingly they would have hit the proverbial nail on its head because sometimes that is the only answer I have to the crazy stuff that life throws my way. Not that I’m running away from life issues as a coward turns away from a challenge but it is more of a step back and regroup sort of approach. You see, the thing with running is it puts distance between the moment/issue and me. To me, this is paramount when dealing with issues of great magnitude and grave importance. The initial surge of energy as my feet picks up speed and as the air rushes by allows me to clear my head as my mind travels. I breathe and run, letting go of the weight of the world, breathing in the gift of life, the further I run, the more I become.. as a dove, peacefully flying as new sights and sounds set in, my senses become alive and attuned to the call of nature and soon the dove is behind me as I’ve taken on new wings, soaring like an eagle I’m now larger than my problems, I am not my pain, nor my sadness, nor my distress. I can feel it, embrace it even, as part of the human process but I don’t have to be afraid or feel overwhelmed anymore. I am not alone, never alone. I can do this. I can face life, I am ready.
Indeed, with my world re righted, I’m now ready to take on whatever life decides to pass my way. Mind you, it’s the same me, I haven’t changed personality or character but what has changed is perspective. People who know me, know I’m big on perspective..It’s everything. Running gives me that; it’s no wonder I call it my happy place, I now have a new or fresh spin on things. It does not mean that I’m not bothered, angry, disappointed or hurt, only that I can now apply wisdom; seeing through the eyes of faith I am now in a stronger position to deal with the various feelings and emotions that are part and parcel of the challenges of our human existence.
runningwithfaith 